Boilersuits really are hot right now
SOMETIMES you just know a fashion is not for you, and it’s true boilersuits are not for everyone. My 5ft 1in girly friend will, I can confidently say, not be trying one any time soon.
Liz Hurley, Kate Middleton, anyone who lives in heels and tight jeans, skirt-suits and bodycon dresses — not on your life!
But the rest of us? Never say never. And some of us, me included, are saying, ‘Yes we will’, because there’s plenty to love about the right boilersuit in the right place at the right time.
So how do you know if a boiler suit might be for you? That’s simple. If you live in trousers and blazers or jeans and sweaters; if you can see yourself in a khaki shirt-jacket (or ‘shacket’) and matching trousers; if you like trouser-suits and DJs; and if you love jumpsuits, then you are the perfect boilersuit candidate.
There’s another reason to give them a shot now if you haven’t before: the boilersuit has gone uptown and glossy.
On the catwalk at Stella McCartney they were white with chic zip details, at Hermes crisp tomato red, at Dries Van Noten embellished on the shoulders. This spring, boilersuits are bigger than they’ve been since the Eighties.
The big difference between a boilersuit and a jumpsuit, in case you’re wondering, is the easy, looser fit and the simplicity of them.
They’re a bit more practical and comfortable, and one step further away from a catsuit (i.e. they don’t come in draped satin with lace panels, cutaway backs and bows).
BOILERSUITS are utility wear and proud of it: neat, clean and uncompromisingly unisex, they usually have a couple of patch pockets, a cinched waist — some women are wearing them like roomy overalls, but not us — and they come in one block colour, be it peacock blue, sand or navy.
That package, provided it’s cut well, can look as chic as a tux.
Boilersuit fans will tell you that they are the new one-stop, everyday-dressing option — all you have to do to flick the switch for evening is add a pair of heels, lower the zip, and you’re done. And that will work for anyone who likes to wear jumpsuits to parties. They look surprisingly smart with a princessy shoe and extra impact earrings.
Meanwhile, for day, boilersuits are a revelation. With a skinny polo neck underneath, or a blazer on top. Easy. They come in denim (€184.26,
lfmarkey.com), which is always a safe choice (as long as it’s not too heavy) especially if it’s inky navy, and the chicest have tie belts and contrast stitching (€68, topshop. com). Corduroy is also an option (€75, topshop.com). But cotton is the most forgiving. It’s tempting to go for black (€89, stories.com or €75 riverisland.com), and you can, but the frontrunner colour is cream (€64, topshop.com) or tan (€50, monki.com).
Roll up the arms a bit, and the legs to expose your ankle boots now, mules later. You can always wear trainers with boilersuits, but it pays to dress them up a little; no one wants to be mistaken for the chap from Dyno-Rod.
Finally, don’t get your boilersuit too short in the body or tight in the legs.
After that, it’s up to you whether you wear it casual style, with a stripey T-shirt and trainers; or more as Charlize Theron might, with a glossy ponytail and heels.
Either way it’s got useful and Something Just A Bit Different written all over it.